Up First from NPR
The Sunday Story: Year of the Union
Dec 31, 2023
Andrea Hsu, NPR's Labor and Workplace Correspondent, dives into this year's unprecedented wave of strikes, revealing the deep dissatisfaction workers feel toward corporate greed. Alongside her, Mandalit del Barco, NPR's culture correspondent, highlights how these movements reflect broader cultural shifts, particularly in Hollywood. They discuss the audacious demands of autoworkers and the crucial role of AI concerns in shaping negotiations. Personal stories illuminate the urgent need for fair wages and the solidarity among workers fighting for better conditions.
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Quick takeaways
- The surge in labor strikes in 2023 reflects growing worker discontent driven by financial concerns and the impact of the pandemic.
- Strikes in Hollywood and the auto industry highlight workers' determination to secure fair compensation and improved working conditions amidst industry transformations.
Deep dives
Record Number of Strikes in Various Industries
This year witnessed a surge in labor strikes across multiple sectors, including Hollywood, the auto industry, and major care institutions. Smaller strikes also occurred in hotels, hospitals, and schools, with threatened strikes by airline pilots and UPS drivers. The increase in strikes indicates a growing discontent among workers, driven not only by financial concerns but also by the profound impact of the pandemic. Workers deemed essential during the pandemic began questioning their value and demanded better pay and benefits. This wave of strikes demonstrated the collective demand for higher wages and improved working conditions.
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